What is it? Is something wrong?” Felix asked as soon as he saw the look on Leo’sface."Yes, something is wrong,” Leo stuttered as he tried to make sense of the email."From the look on your face, it seems like it is something serious," Felix replied, looking at him inquisitively."Yes, Felix, it’s an urgent matter that needs my attention. I need to be in LA right away," Leo stated with a hint of urgency in his voice.“Los Angeles? Why? Does it have anything to do with the branch?” Felix asked, wondering why Leo was suddenly needed in LA.“All of a sudden, what really happened that demands your attention in person?” Felix added.“Yeah, basically, there is an important client who is on the verge of denying us a contract if I am not in LA as soon as possible,” Leo explained as he tapped away at the keyboard to reply to the email.“Oh, really, okay, well, I’ll just conclude…” Felix was saying, but Leo cut him off.“Let’s finish what we were talking about when I get back Felix, please,” L
As soon as Ellen placed a fork full of the spaghetti in her mouth, the smell wafted into her nose. The smell assaulted her nose, causing her to almost throw up on the table. Ellen ran into her room to throw up in the bathroom.“What is wrong? Ellen?” Mrs. Grater called as she hurried after Ellen to her room.Ellen stood before the mirror in her bathroom as she splashed water on her face.“Ellen?” Mrs. Grater called again, and as she stared at her daughter, she didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but she could not dispute the fact that was pressing in her mind.“Mom, I’m fine; I just felt nauseous,” Ellen replied as she patted her face dry with a towel.“Is that all there is to it? You did not even eat anything,” Mrs. Grater stated as she watched Ellen move to sit on her bed.“Yes, mom, that’s all. I already had something earlier; that’s why. I’m full and I’m so tired, mom,” Ellen said, and she laid on the bed, facing away from her mom.“Okay,” Mrs. Grater replied, turning to head out
“I’m in front of your apartment,” was the response as Ellen picked up the phone. She stared at the door to the apartment in horror.“What? Felix, you’re downstairs? Are you serious?” Ellen asked in disbelief."Yes, I am, Ellen,” Felix replied.“I need to see you; you promised, remember, and I have given you enough time already,” Felix replied.Ellen was hesitant in her reply as she said, “Not now, Felix, just go; I’ll see you when..." but Felix cut her off.“When? Ellen, it’s been two weeks since you’ve been holed up in that apartment of yours. I’m only not coming upstairs because of your mom, except you want me to come right up; it’s fine by me,” Felix said with a note of finality in his voice.“Okay, okay, fine, I’ll come down, but not right now; find a place to wait,” Ellen replied, ending the call without waiting for a response.Ellen knew he was not joking about coming up, but she wasn’t ready to deal with him in her mom’s presence.********Leo walked into his office in Manhatta
Ellen looked at him, her face expressionless as she saw Felix’s reaction.“What did you say?” Felix asked as he returned his coffee to the table, his face full of shock.Ellen was quiet; she didn’t say anything as she watched him in silence.“Ellen, what did you say?” Felix asked again, struggling to arrange his features to mask his surprise.“You heard me right, Felix; there’s no need for me to repeat it,” Ellen said flatly as she got ready to leave the café.“Well, I didn’t really think you would want to still be with me after telling me that,” Ellen added as she stood up."Ellen, hold on; you can’t just tell me that and expect me not to be surprised; I’m allowed to show some kind of emotion, right?” Felix said this in his defense as he stood up and held her hand.“Yeah, right,” Ellen said dryly as she continued walking, Felix right on her heel.“Okay, I’m sorry about the way I asked; you sprang it up on me; I was not expecting you to say that,” Felix tried to explain as they walked
Leo’s heart skipped and picked up pace as soon as he saw her legs step out of the elevator.“Ellen?” Leo muttered to himself as he slowly raised his head, his eyes following the length of her body.By the time Leo’s eyes got to her face, she was already standing in front of him."Hello, Leo,” she said with a smile on her face.Leo’s eyes turned unreadable as he replied, “Hello Sandra, what are you doing here?”Sandra looked dashing in her outfit; she had dressed to impress, and she was not so pleased by Leo’s plain reaction.“Am I not allowed into your office any longer?” Sandra asked quietly.“It’s already the end of work, Sandra; how did you even get up here?” Leo asked her as he opened his office door for them to go into the office.“I saw Mr. Phillips, and he told me you’re still in the office.” Sandra replied as they walked to the lounge and had their seats.Leo sat down and unbuttoned his suit button as he closed his eyes for a second. He had been thinking about Ellen and had as
“That was Sandra; I just saw them together,” Ellen muttered as she watched the scene in front of the hotel lobby unfold before her eyes.Ellen stood rigid as she watched the car drive out of the lobby. She could not move; her eyes were filled with pain.“What were you expecting? Why the hell did you even come here, Ellen?" Ellen chastised herself.“Of course he has moved on; what was I expecting?” Ellen muttered as she turned left.“Damm you, Leo, and dammn you, Sandra,” Ellen muttered as she got a cab back to the house. Deciding to take a walk to clear her head, Ellen alighted from the cab a few blocks from the house.“Hey, Ellen." Ellen heard someone call out to her from behind. Reluctantly, Ellen turned around and saw Emily.“Damm, what is she doing here?” Ellen hissed to herself just before Emily could get to her.“Hi, Emily,” Ellen said, her voice plain and her face partially covered by the face cap. Ellen wondered how Emily had recognized her.“Those clothes aren’t really doing
Ellen stared at her mom, trying to explain what really happened as best as she could without revealing who was responsible for the pregnancy. “Mom, stolen documents were found under my desk, and no one would believe that I am innocent,” Ellen explained. “Oh, my god, Ellen, how did that happen?” Mrs. Grater asked, and her expression was full of shock. “I don’t know, Mom; I didn’t do it; I am sure someone put it there intentionally,” Ellen replied as she sat up. “What did your boss say? Did he not believe you also?” Mrs. Grater asked, still not understanding why her daughter would be sent away from work because of another person’s mistake. “Mom, he didn’t have to…” Ellen was saying this when her phone rang. The sound of it ringing pierced the silence around them as it vibrated on the bedside table. “Oh god, not tonight; I don’t want to speak with anyone today,” Ellen muttered. “You have to, baby girl; what if it has to do with a new job?” Mrs. Grater asked as she extended her hand
Opening her eyes, Ellen blinked, trying to figure out how she had come to lay on a couch instead of the car.“Ellen.” Felix called again.As the room became clearer, Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise at the number of heads that were bent over her. The first face she saw was Mrs. Warner’s, who was looking at her like she was observing an item. Also standing around her were Sandra, Mary, and Leo.“What is going on? What happened?” Ellen asked frantically as she hurriedly tried to sit upright.“Be careful; sit up carefully,” Felix whispered as he helped her up. He was sitting beside her on the couch.“She looks okay to me. I really don’t know what the fuss is about,” Sandra said from her position behind the couch.“Shhhh… Don’t say that. Everyone, go to the dining room; they’ll join us shortly,” Mrs. Warner said as she herbed Mary, Leo, and Sandra out of the living room.Ellen watched them go before turning to Felix and asking, “What happened?”“I tapped you when we got here, but you didn
Leo looked back to see Felix walk into the office with a smug look on his face. "Felix! Where have you been?" Leo asked before looking to see Ellen pointing at Felix with a look of panic on her face again. "Why are you pointing at Felix? Ellen, what is going on? Are you sure this isn't just an act?" Leo asked, stepping away from her. "It's him; he is behind it, Leo," Ellen said, speaking up. Leo shook his head in amazement and replied, "If this is some sort of joke, would you please stop it?" "I am telling you the damn truth; would you for once believe me?" Ellen shouted at him. Leo paused for a minute, then turned to look at Felix as he asked, "What the hell is she saying?" Felix shrugged and said, "I don't know Leo; I think she needs to go to the hospital; it's probably a panic due to the pregnancy." Leo turned to Ellen, concern etched on his face this time around as he said, "Ellen, I think we should get you to the hospital." Ellen screamed, beating Leo on the chest as she
Downstairs, Felix navigated through the crowd as he tried to avoid mingling. Everyone was having a light conversation while they all waited for the host."Felix? Over here," Mr. Phillips called from the crowd.Felix waved and smiled, hoping he would be able to slip away without having to go over, but Mr. Phillips had other plans."Felix, what a lovely event you have here. I must say that these past few days have made the Haven hotel the talk of the town," Mr. Phillips commented."I'm glad the event turned out better than we imagined," Felix replied, trying to keep his smile in place."I'm sure Leo is glad to have you on this; truly, two good heads are better than one," Mr. Phillips added."Felix, have you really been around? It's almost like you don't stay in New York," Viva said as she joined them with a glass of wine."I am Viva, but you only have eyes for one person; I guess that's why you haven't noticed me," Felix replied with a charming grin.Every other person in the group chuc
Ellen could feel her inside running faster than her physical legs could carry her."I should go home; yes, that's what I should do." Ellen murmured and walked out of the restaurant.She couldn't look back, for fear of seeing Felix come out of the restroom already.Ellen hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of her house."Alright, ma'am," the cab driver said, and he drove back onto the road.It was then that Ellen had the courage to look back, and she saw Felix walking out of the restaurant."This could just be a misunderstanding, right? I mean, what if I'm just mistaken? What if it's pregnancy hormones?" Ellen murmured.“I think I should have stayed to ask him,” Ellen muttered, adding, “It felt so real.”"I should tell Leo right; he has every right to know; he needs to know," Ellen whispered to herself with determination.She looked at her phone and realized it was too late to head to the hotel. She picked up her phone and dialed Leo's number. It rang for eternity, and nobody
Suddenly, fear gripped Ellen, her heart skipping as she looked back at the person behind her."Did I really scare you?" Felix asked, a broad grin on his face as he enjoyed the look on Ellen's face."What the hell was that about?" Ellen exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest as she calmed herself."I didn't mean to scare you; I just wanted to pull a prank on you," Felix explained as he laughed at her."That was not funny, Felix," Ellen told him, feigning anger."I know, but the look on your face was cute," Felix replied.Ellen turned and continued walking. "I thought you were too busy to come here," she said.Felix hurried after her and said, "Yeah, I had some things to take care of, but now I'm here and I'm taking you for dinner.Ellen paused, stopping in her tracks. "Dinner? All of a sudden?""Yes, you're done for the day, right? Let's go. I'll treat you to a nice meal," Felix said, grabbing Ellen's arm as he started walking towards his car.*******In Leo's office, he was going over
"What do you want, Sandra?" Ellen said, looking at Sandra, who showed up from nowhere to stand in front of her."You've grown some guts, Ellen; I thought you were banned from coming to this hotel." Sandra glared, stepping closer to her."Sandra, is there something specific you need or want to tell me?" Ellen asked calmly."You think I would have something important to talk to you about?" Sandra mocked."Whatever this is, I really don't have the time for it," Ellen informed her, stepping backward to create space between them.Sandra laughed mockingly, "What do you have if not time? I mean, with that pregnancy and all, I doubt if anyone is going to look your way.""Do you feel better from being mean?" Ellen asked.Sandra's eyes narrowed as she asked, "What did you just say?"Ellen struggled to remain calm. She looked at Sandra and smiled. "It's fine; we can't all have it perfect."Sandra's face went rigid. "Leo will never come back to you; I'll make sure of it," she hissed.Ellen looked
Leo brushed a hand through his hair and said, "Grandma, Ellen is...""Ellen!" Mrs. Grater exclaimed before Leo could finish his statement.Ellen? Where? Leo wondered as he looked towards the door, but there she was, in flesh."Uhm, hi, Mrs. Warner," Ellen said, stuttering as she tried to put on a smile for Mrs. Warner."How are you doing? Leo has been busy with school, you know; he has not come home. Why didn't you bring him home?" Mrs. Warner asked Ellen.Ellen didn't know how to explain it, so instead, she replied, "I'll make sure he comes from now on."That put a smile on Mrs. Warner's face as she pulled Ellen back to the lounge with her."Leo, see, it is Ellen." Mrs. Warner announced as if Leo was blind and hadn't seen her."Yes, grandma, it's Ellen," Leo replied, gesturing with his hand towards her.As Mrs. Warner pulled Ellen down beside her, they heard a commotion at the door."No, you can't do that now; it's supposed to be later today," Alex said as he walked through the door
Felix turned towards the wall nearest to him and slammed his hands against the wall, his face filled with anger as he cursed under his breath."F**k you!"Ellen didn't know what to do—if she was supposed to call him or just wait there till he saw her.Felix turned and headed out towards the entrance. Ellen hurried out and waited till he got to the entrance before she called out to him."Hey Felix, I didn't know you were still around," Ellen said, faking a surprised smile.Upon hearing Ellen call out to him, Felix relaxed his expression and turned up his lips in a smile."Hey, what's up? Yes, I am. I assumed you had gone already," Felix replied as he turned to face her."Uhm, we finished not too long ago; how are you?" Ellen asked, adding, "Are you heading to the hotel?""Uhm, yes, I am. Do you need a ride home?" Felix asked."No, don't worry, I'll find my way," Ellen replied. She wished she could ask him what was wrong, but she couldn't."Okay, call me when you get home," Felix told h
"Love stems from the most surprising places," Leo said, his voice deep and hoarse.Ellen placed her hand on the wall, her heart beating fast as she processed what she had just heard Leo say.The anchor for the broadcast asked again, "Would you say you have experienced this, Mr. Warner?"Leo smiled as he replied, "Yes, I have."Ellen hurried away into the restroom; she didn't stay to hear more of what Leo had to say."Our legacy was formed from love, and that is why the theme for this event is love and light," Leo concluded.In the restroom, Ellen stared at herself in the mirror. "I thought I was over this; he has found love. What do I care?"Her words didn't make her feel any better, but they gave her the strength to head out to meet the rest of the team after she relieved herself."Are you okay? That took you so long," Janet said to Ellen when she joined them."Yes, I'm fine," Ellen assured her."Okay, everyone, we are to meet here tomorrow; all that we have done will either be chang
Felix was jerked out of his thoughts. He glanced towards Ellen, embarrassed that he had been so lost in thought."Uhm, nothing; I was just thinking out loud about, you know, not knowing what goes on in Leo's mind," he explained.Ellen chuckled. "Did you really just give serious thought to understanding what goes on in Leo's mind?" she asked.Felix grinned in reply. "I guess I just did."Ellen laughed. "You have a better chance of winning the lottery than cracking the code in Leo's mind."They laughed at the thought until Felix pulled his car onto the sidewalk of Ellen's apartment."Thank you for bringing me home and for making me laugh too," Ellen stated, a soft smile on her face as she turned towards Felix."You're welcome, dear. I think I should make more jokes about Leo since it seems to crack you up so much," Felix joked.Ellen chuckled. "I don't think that would be necessary. All your jokes make me laugh anyway.""I'm glad to hear that." Felix replied, adding, "Do you mind if I p